Looking for middle ground: a telephone booth in BarcelonaPresident of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, began a new six-year term in office last week and took the opportunity to announce huge changes intended to usher in what he calls a "new era" of "21st century socialism.”
In an outdoor session that resembled a political rally, Venezuelan lawmakers voted to give Chávez wide powers to rule the country by decree. Now el mandatario has the authority to reform Venezuela into what he hopes will be a prosperous, socialist example for the rest of Latin America.
The problem is Chavez' vision for Venezuela involves concentrating all the power in his own hands. And if he can swing it, Chavez plans to change the constitution regarding presidential term limits so he can rule Venezuela indefinitely.
Venezuelans and U.S. observers alike are used to Chávez’ fiery rhetoric. But even to those who secretly enjoyed hearing the Latin American leader refer to Bush as the devil at the United Nations, saw last week’s events as a lurch toward authoritarian rule.
Chávez announced plans to nationalize the telecommunications and electricity industries, place new taxes on the rich and increase state control over the oil industry. From the beginning, Chavez proclaimed his reforms are in the interest of Venezuela's poor. He argues that nationalization and other economic shake ups will ultimately serve to redistribute the wealth and close the rich-poor gap.
The proposed, populist measures surely pleased many in Venezuela, but the privately-owned newspapers in Caracas registered disgust by featuring damning editorials and condemnation of Chávez from foreign leaders.
Before Chávez' latest proclamations, he announced he would not renew the broadcasting license for RCTV, an opposition-run channel that supported the coup against him in 2002. Without the license, the station will be off the air by June.
Although Chávez’ promises often run way ahead of reality, he is taking decisive steps in an unsettling direction.
While his socialist promises may excite the people of Venezuela with visions of social-welfare programs, if foreign capital flies from the country provoking economic hardship - and the press is stifled in its opposition - the trade off may prove too costly.
